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Tanker 'Norgas Cathinka' freed after 6 month detention in Indonesia

The IM Skaugen vessel Norgas Cathinka has been released after more than six months detention in Indonesia, although two crew members remain detained awaiting trial. The vessel was freed late on 8 April after and "out of court settlement" payment IM Skaugen and its insurance providers had made to the owners of the ferry Bahuga Jaya in which it was involved in fatal collision on 26 September 2012. The vessel and its crew have now reached to the entrance to Singapore port. Source: http://seatrade-global.com/news/asia/im-skaugen-vessel-freed-after-6-month-detention.html

IM Skaugen have hit out at the Indonesian authorities over the continued detention of its vessel the Norgas Cathinka

The Norgas Cathinka collided with a 40-year ferry Bahuga Jaya on 26 September 2012 in Indonesia resulting in the loss of seven passengers and one crew member. IM Skaugen said the data from the voyage data recorder on its vessel showed “it is evident our vessel was not the vessel that caused the collision”. “The aftermath has also proven to be very challenging due to a far from transparent juridical process in Indonesia and we are still waiting for the ship and its crew to be released,” the company charged. IM Skaugen said it was cost the company $400,000 a month in lost earnings. “This complex and not very transparent process in Indonesia makes it appear much more like a ‘hostage situation’.”

Damaged tanker may pose a danger if further detained

The operator of the "Norgas Cathinka" which is detained at Merak Port following the collision with the passenger ferry "Bahuga Jaya" on Sep 26 has asked for its release for urgently needed repairs, citing concerns about its highly volatile cargo of propylene on Nov 6. Norgas Carriers said that the ship was still carrying 3,045 metric tons of the highly flammable and explosive chemical. Detaining of the ship for an extended period of time may cause disruption in propylene handling and this might pose a threat to public safety as propylene was vaporizing every day, creating a buildup of pressure in the cargo tanks. This pressure is controlled by liquefying using cargo compressors. The pressure is controlled by two pieces of equipment, namely the cargo compressor and the cargo tank safety relief valves. The valves and compressor were due for a periodical overhaul on Oct 14, but this could not be done with the cargo still on board so the equipment continued to be used beyond its prescribed maintenance intervals. The overhaul was found to be even more crucial when taking into account that the vessel was involved in a collision, which has the potential to cause latent damage to its cargo systems. This left the tanker with an unknown failure potential as any failure of the cargo tank safety relief valves would lead to a direct release of vapor to atmosphere and any failure of the cargo compressors would lead to the ship being incapable of liquefying her cargo. This would lead to increased tank pressures and the lifting of the relief valves. The tanker was detained by Indonesian authorities after the accident which cost the lives of 43 people on board the ferry. The tanker’s Filipino captain, Ernesto Lat, and chief officer, Chinese national Su Jibing, have been named suspects by the police for criminal recklessness. I.M. Skaugen as the tanker owners has defended the actions of the crew in leaving the scene of the accident, saying that they needed to ensure there was no danger of the tanker sinking or gas leaking from its cargo due to the impact of the collision.